Thump! The dry Mediterranean heat introduced itself with a body blow as I climbed down from the Boeing 747. I’d never before experienced such temperatures; then again, I was only eight and my horizons up to that point had been limited to South London’s dull, grey skies. I knew little of the world beyond Tooting or what it had to offer.

The year was 1974, the place was Nicosia Airport in Cyprus and the experiences that were to follow will be branded in my brain for as long as I live.An extract from:
The Green Line - Holiday in a Warzone -
Cyprus 1974

BRT TV for 21st July 2012

Interview by Can Gazi with Ceylan on:
"A Cup of Conversation".

BRT TV 31st March 2012

Interview by Can Gazi with Marion Stuart on:
"A Cup of Conversation".

History before my eyes

As I write this, thirty-seven years have passed since that momentous year. I do not mention dates as I kept no diary as the events unfolded before my wondering eyes. I have done some research to pinpoint them, but dates do not matter, and neither do the politics.An extract from:
The Green Line - Holiday in a Warzone -
Cyprus 1974

A South London childhood

Ours was a house full of kids with dual personalities: when our parents were around we were quiet, obedient and respectful Turkish children; when we were home alone, we were wild and unruly London street kids.

We spent most of our time out on the street, skipping or playing Had, Knock Down Ginger, Marbles, Ker Knockers and Jax. During the time we lived at Balham’s Kenilford Road in the early 70s, we were the street’s wild kids – and don’t forget, there were eight of us.An extract from:
The Green Line - Holiday in a Warzone -
Cyprus 1974

What's been said about The Green Line:

" I'm Greek Cypriot.
Soner is not, that is apparent in this book.
He's my friend and I've known him since we were at college together but nothing prepared me for this book. The memories he now shares with you are ones that even I have never been privy to.

It's an honest book, neither hyped nor unapologetic and is a must read for both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots of our generation.

Cry.... With laughter you will.....
Parts will shock you...
He conjures up some images we, from the island are all familiar with......some, thankfully not....."

Maria (Georgiou) Christophi

The Green Line
- Holiday in a Warzone -
Cyprus 1974

Buy now!

The Green Line is a true story of a brutal war seen through the eyes of a child

“Yep,” replied Ozzy casually. He struck the match and set the closed box alight. “That’s how I’ve been keeping myself busy over the last few days.”An extract from:
The Green Line - Holiday in a Warzone -
Cyprus 1974

In about half an hour we reached a village called Çatoz, which has now been renamed Serdarlı. Mother’s smile froze on her face. The houses in the village were in flames.

“Boys, put your hands over your ears, quickly!” shouted Hasan as he drove past the burning houses. I was horrified but I didn’t obey his instructions and as we passed one of the houses I could hear the terrible sound of people screaming inside.

“What happened here?” cried mother in desperation, looking at Hasan for an answer. But how could he know? He had no reply to give apart from a shrug of his shoulders.

“I thought you said it was going to be safe,” continued Mother. “What on earth is happening?”

“I really don’t know,” said Hasan. An unlikely possibility occurred to him. “Maybe they were Greeks captured by Turkish soldiers.” He was hoping this was the case, otherwise we were definitely in dangerous territory.An extract from:
The Green Line - Holiday in a Warzone -
Cyprus 1974

Visit to President Dervis Eroglu's office on 17th July 2012

A real pleasure and privilege for me to meet the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. My book The Green Line (Yesil Hat) was handed to His Excellenecy who had promised to read and give feedback on it. He was so generous in finding the time to sit down talk to me about my book, at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia.